Lifting truck



I J. LOEF LIFTING. TRUCK Fil ed June 29, 1932 May 4, 1937.

7 Sheets-Sheet 1 v lllll/ n 1 May 4, 1937.-

I J. LOEF LIFI'ING TRUCK Fi1ed.June 29, 1952 r 7 She etsrSheet 2 May 4, 1937. J. LOEF I L IFTINQ TRUCK 7 Filed June 29, 1932 7 Shegts-Sheet 3 M y 1937. J. LOIEF LIFTING TRUCK Filed June 29, 19:52

7 Sheets- Sheet 4 .Jazwzzoeg" 5 10M May 4,1937. I J, LQEF 2,079,078

LIFTING TRUCK a, Filed J ne 29, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet s May 4,1937. J. LOEF 2,079,078"

LIFTING TRUCK 3 Filed June 29. 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet s Fig." 10

Patented Mi, .4, 1937 uN rEus'r TEs PATENT OFFICE IJFTING TRUCK .lakob Loci,.Moosburg, Germany Application June 29, 1932, Serial No. 620,002 In Germany December 23, 1931 25 Claims. iCl. 254-2) This invention relates to lifting trucks, and more especially to lifting trucks of the type utilizing a steering and lifting lever adapted to impart rangement of a truck having an elevating platform carrying a lifting link member adapted to extend into the steering axisand to be operated 15 by a lifting membermovable in the steering axis and actuated in turn by a lifting lever: which is preferably the steering lever. In this form of mechanism it is required that the lifting portion of the elevating link member be maintained in the 20 steering axis by some type of guide means. Since I generally prefer to utilize a lifting member a which is loosely pivotedto the lifting lever and which is'guided solely by its engagement with the link member carried by theelevating platform, I arrangefor guide means associated with the elevating link member'for maintaining its lifting portion in the steering a'xis during the lifting operation. There are a number. of other features of my invention andits modifications whichI will w descrlbehereinafter andwhich are valuable con- I from its position of Fig. l to Fig. 2 will be resisted t'ributions to the art. v

For a description of my invention and the modifications thereof, 1 shall now refer to the drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a partial sectionalview of .of the lifting means. Fig. 2-is a view of parts of Fig. i showing the mechanism in a position corresponding to an, elevated position of the platform. Fig. 3 is a front view of parts of the truck,

40 whereas Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts of Fig. 3. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are respectively aside, front and plan view of a modification of my invention in which the lifting is doneby a U-frame. The right hand portions of Figs. 6 and 7, and parts of Fig. 5v

5 illustrate a modification in which no checkls uti lized and wherein theh'andle controls the down-I ward movement of the elevating platform. Figs.

8 and 9 show a modification of my invention in 50 which theelevated platform is shown respec-' tively in a lowered anda lifted position. Figs. 10 and 11 show a further modification of my inven .tion. Fig. 12 shows a still further. modification. Figs. 13 and 14 show a'modification of my truck 5;, utilizing a mechanical jacking movement; Figs.

the front end of a truck illustrating theop'eration that m g therwise be its p of move sons 1 ment;

'15 and 16 show a modification utilizing a hydraulic jacking movement.

Referring now to the drawings, and especially Figs. 1 and 2, my truck comprises an elevating frame 2 pivotally supported by means of links 3 relatively to a main frame I, the links 3 being pivoted to the elevating frame as at I and to the main frame as at 8. The front wheels 4 are mounted on the axle 5 which in turn is journalled on a spindle member H which is supported in the frame it by means of pins H8. The frame it in turn revolves about the axis of spindle i3 through the intermediary of a bushing!) surrounding said spindle and conical roller bearings H2. The main frame comprises a cross-head 6 having a thrust bearing relationship with theframe it through the intermediary of ball bearings M.

The bushing 9 continues upwardly and terminates in a steering head III which is adapted to support the lifting lever 23. 20

The lifting lever 23 is mounted .on pivot 2| carried by the member ill, and is limited in its movement relatively to the member Ill by a stop 24 cooperating with a stop 25 on the member ID. ,In order to counterbalance the lifting lever- 23, there 25 is utilized a spring 2 secured to the lifting lever atone end and at the other end to a lever 20 which, in turn, is secured by a connecting rod I9 to the spindle l3. It will be readily appreciated that downward movement of the lifting lever 23 by the spring 22. This is an especially important function of my invention because it prevents the accidental dropping of the lever when acci-- dentally released and avoids the injuring of per- The lifting lever 23 has an extension to which the lifting strut member 21 is pivoted at 26. The member 2! is movable into various positions by a 40 foot pedal 28 integral therewith. With the lifting -lever' 23 in its position of Fig. 1, the member 21 may occupy the dotted line position'in which its plane surface-29 abuts a corresponding surface 32 on the cross-head 6. In this position of the parts,

' best illustrated'i n Figs. 1 and 4, the 'lever 22, to-

getherwith the member ill to which it is pivoted and which constitutes anextension of the rotatable sleeve 9, will be held against rotation rela-' v tively to the head 6', due to the fact that abutting surfaces 28 and will hold member 21 and consequently the lever 23 in a straight ahead position. At the same time, the lever will be held against pivotal movement in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 2|. It will, therefore, be

able to serve as a pushing member for the truck, the steering being accomplished by the caster relation of the wheels 4 to the head 6. In the full line position of the member 21, it is merely maintained out of obstructing relation relatively to the head 6 so .that the lifting lever 23 may be manipulated with facility.

The lifting member 21 is equipped at its upper end with a relatively conical surface 30 which, in turn, cooperates with a corresponding socket in the member 36. Member 36 is, in turn, supported on pin 35, carried by the ear members 34 forming an extension of the lifting link 33. Because of the shape of the pin 35, the part 36 has a relatively'universal movement, within limitations. The link member 33 is supported on pivots 48 at either side of the elevating platform and is adapted to pivot relatively to the platform. It is understood, that when lifting effort is applied to the link member 33 as by the lifting member 21,

. there will be a natural tendencyto separate the surfaces of the member 21 and the member 36 so as to cause a rearward swinging of the link 33. Even ifmeans were present to prevent this rearward swinging of the link 33, it would still be I necessary to provide means for maintaining the link 33 in such a position that the member 36 might constantly be in the steering axis of the truck in order that side lift movement by the handle 23 might be possible. This is especially required where lever 23 functions as a steering lever through fixed relationship between steering head 6 and the wheels 4. For this purpose I, therefore, provide guide links 31 which are pivoted at 41 to each side of the link member 33 and at 46 to each side of the cross-head 6. These guide links 31 are of such length and shape and are so positioned thatthey guide the link member 33 and maintain its portion 36 substantially in alignment with the steering axis of the truck during the entire lifting operation of the lever 23.

It 'is thought that the operation of the lifting mechanism so far described will be quite 'apparent, but it will be best to indicate the general operation before going further with the explanation of the remaining parts of my invention. The

lever 23 is held in an upward initial position, and the foot treadle 28 is operated to bring the member 21 into cooperation with the socket of the member 36. Thereafter, a downward movement of the lever 23 brings the parts into the position of Fig. 2 with the lever 23 firmly against the stop of the member In. During this movement, the link 33 has been maintained in proper relation to the lifting member 21 by the links 31. Also, the movement of the lifting member 23 has been resisted by the spring 22 through its connection with the, spindle member l3. When the parts reach a fully lifted position, a foot lever 4|, pivoted at 40 or on the same axis as one of the levers 31, and which has a hook-shaped end 63, catches the bushing 42 carried on pin 48 for maintaining the elevated platform in its fully elevated position.

It will be understood that between frames I and 2, there will preferably be positioned a lowering brake so as to slow down the lowering movement of the elevating platform 2 whenit is released by the foot pedal 4!. It will be further understood that'once the parts are lifted as shown in Fig. 2, return movement of the member 23 will relieve the tension between the surface of the lifting member 21 and the socket of the member 36, so that the member 21 will tend to fall out of cooperative relation to the member 36. In case the elevating platform is released for downward movement, this release will prevent the hitting of the member 36 against the lifting member 21, thus preventing a flying upwards of the handle 23, termed in the trade "a flying handle hazard."

Figs. 10 and 11 show a modification of my invention in which the link member 33 carries a strut member If mounted about the pin in a manner similar to the member 36 of Figs. 1 andz, so as to have a pivoting movement in two planes. This strut is adapted to be actuated by a pin 12 mounted in the bearings 66 formed on an extension of the operating liftinglever 23. When the elevating platform has been lifted, the pin member 12 moves to-its dotted line relation to hooks 13 illustrated in Fig. 10 by rolling down through gravitational action into locked relationship with said hook members 13. It can only be released from its relation to hook members 13 by operation of the treadle 14, as will be readily apparent. Onceit is released, the pin 12 will drop downward into its initial full line position shown in Fig. 10 wherein it will again be in position to operate strut 1! to elevate the platform.

In a construction such as that shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the movement of the lifting lever may be obstructed by the cam 16 integrally related to the lever 11 pivoted at 18. This lever 11 has an extension 68 which fits into a slot 19 provided in the cross-head 6 and naturally locks the steering lever 23 and, therefore, the rotatable sleeve 9, against rotary movement relatively to the cross head 6. This relation of the parts also locks the lever 23 against downward lifting movement and makes it possible to handle the truck in the manner of a caster truck by merely pushing and pulling on the handle 23 as it is in its upright position. It will be quite simple to release the lever 23 from this position by merely stepping on the treadle 10 of the lever 11, thus moving the cam portion 16 out of abstructing relation to the surface 69 of the lever 23.

In Figs. 8, 9, and 12, I illustrate further modifications of my invention in which the operating lifting elements are substantially the same as those of Figs. 1 and 2, except that I substitute for the pivoting lever 33 used in Figs. 1 and 2 the fixed member 82 projecting from the front end of the elevating platform 2 and adapted to move integrally therewith. In a modification of this sort, it is naturally not necessary to provide guide means for the lifting member 82 as required for the link 33 of Figs. 1 and 2, since the lifting member 82 is integral with the platform and can only move therewith. Therefore, in order to insure that the socket of the member 36 in Figs. 8 and 9 will move substantially in the steering axis of' be such as to make it possible to operate the lifting mechanism by the member 21 movable in the steering axis.

In order to solve this problem, which is quite considerable.

I have devised a lifting connection between the -main and elevating frames which will readily contribute the results desired. I utilize a lever 84, of which there will be one on 1 each side of the truck, having a pivot 19 mounted for sliding movement within the bearing 36, it being equipped with a roller 86 to permit this movement. Secured to each link member 84. by means of pivot 8| is a lever member 35, in turn in Figs. 8 and 9. In this way I obtain a vertical movement also of the member'82 so that its lifting portion 36 remains always in the steering axis for operation by the lifting member .21 of lever'23.

Figs. 13, 14, 15, and 16 show modifications of my truck in which the single lift mechanism may be adapted for multiple lifting in which a plurality of reciprocations of the lifting lever 23 are required. In this modification a more simple type of front bearing for the-wheels 4 has been 20 shown in order to simplify the explanation of the more important features of the invention.-

The sleeve 9 is equipped with a bore in which the journal 9| of the hydraulic pump shown in. Fig. 15 is guided. This pump has a piston 93 equipped with a pivotal bearing. 92 by means of which it -may be secured to the eye members 34 of the link 33 through pin 45. This pin 45 in turn operates in slots 92a of eyes 34 of the strut member 33. In this way, it may contribute lifting movement to the elevating platform. The hydraulic jack piston 93 has a; stuffing collar 94 and is adapted to slide in the cylinder 93. Asillustrated, the cylinder 98 is surrounded by a hollow space, the latter being defined by another cylinder 99, both cylinders beingheld in position at their tops as well as at their bottoms by means .of end piece 91 provided with stufiing boxes 96. On one side of arranged to be actuated by the link I92, in turn operated by lever I04. This hydraulic jack will operate in the usual manner well known in the art, the liquid being drawn out of the space from between the cylinders 98 and 99', and forced by the pump I93 through the hole I99 against the lower side of the piston 93 whereby the latter will be moved upwardly and will actuate. the lifting link 33. The cylinder 98 is provided with an exhaust hole llll which is adapted to permit a lowering of the piston 93 as the exhaust hole is opened by means of a screw or other type of mechanism, In this way, the hydraulic pump itself may be substituted also for the usual hydraulic jack utilized in trucks of this type.

While the pump has been shown as actuated bythe lever I94, actually the lever may be operated by the lifting lever 23, if connected thereto as by a collar similar to collar H6 inFig. 13.-

In Figs. 13 and 14, 1 illustrate just how the hydraulic jack means of Figs. 15 and 16 may be dispensed with and a mechanical jack utilized. This jack, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, comprises av vertical spindle member I I9 secured tn the eye members 34 by pin 45, and-may be actuated member H9 through an angularly arranged friction wedge ring H I, which in its position of Fig. 14 is wedgedto spindle H9. Lever I04 moves spindle H through ring IH when the lever is swung downwardly. Wedge ring H2 is 'fixed at 2a to housing H3 and while it allows upwardmovement of spindle H9, it will prevent downward movement of said shaft; To obtain a lowering of the spindle, upward pressure must be applied by a tool to the left end of the wedge H2, lookingatFig. 14, thus releasing the-spindle.

It will be readily understood that the utilization of such mechanisms as shown in Figs. 13-16 inclusive, is also entirely dependent upon the maintenance of the upper lifting portion of the link 33in the steering axis, this being, in turn, made possible by the guiding of the link 33 throughmeans of the levers 31. 7

It is sometimes desirable to operate trucks by U-hari'dles instead of by the ordinary lifting lever. A modification of this type is shown in Figs 5, 6 and 7. In this modification, ear member 34 car ried by link member 33 is equipped with a slot 66 in which may operate the pin extension of a modified form of member 21. The member 21, in turn, is mounted on a cross-piece 51 extending across the front end of the truck and pivoted on pins 56 to ear members 51 provided on the main cross-head 6. The extensions 58 of a U-handle fit in sockets 52 and will operate the cross member 5| and the lifting member 21 similarly to its mannet of operation by a single lever 23. While} have illustrated the member 21 as operating in slot 66 of the lifting extension of the link 33,

the member 211 may in reality be exactly similar;

to member 21 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. I illustrated the particular construction only because I utilize it with my checkless truck modification shown in Figs. 5, 6, and'7.

It sometimes becomes desirable to manufacture a truck such asthat describedin Figs. 5, 6 and 7 without a checking member. In a construction of this type, it is necessary to control the lowering of the load by the'same means that do the lifting. in this case the U-handle58. It is also necessaryto prevent the lowering of the load the cylinder 99, the pump I93 is secured and is until the U-handle has been placed in a position for controlling the lowering. Because of this last necessary feature, my hook 63 which does the locking of the elevating platform in an'elevated position is equipped with a hook 64 adapted to be actuated by a nut 62 on the end of the trigger 59 movable integrally with the U-lifting member 53. It is impossible to release the elevating platform by moving the hook 53 out of coaction with the sleeve 43, except through the nut extension 62 of the trigger 59. Thenut 62 does not fit within the hook 94, except when the handle 59 is in a fully downward position in whichposition the member 59 may be moved againstthe opposition of spring to perform the releasing operation. It will be naturally understood that releasing of the elevatingplatform is impossible, therefore, except when the U-handle 59 is in position to control the lowering of the platform 2. 1

While I have shown several modifications of my invention, it should be understood that additional variations will readilyoccur to those skilled l 60 in the art.

I claim: 1.'In a lift truck, a" steering head, an elevating'frame movable for- 'wa'rdly and upwardly relatively to said main frame, a link member pivoted to said elevating frame and having.- a portion thereof extending over into the axis of the steering head so as to be operated bya lifting member movable substantially vertically in the said axis, and aguide member pivotally associated with said main frame:and

with said link member for guiding said link mem -J her to maintain-itsjlifting portion substantially in r main frame having a;

ing head, an elevating frame movable forwardly and upwardly relatively to said main frame, a link member pivoted to said elevating frame and having a portion thereof extending over into the being guided for movement in the steering axis by said lifting link portion, and a guide member pivot-ally associated with said main frame and with said link member for guiding said link member to maintain its lifting portion substantially in the steering'axis as said elevating frame moves forwardly and upwardly.

3. In a lift truck, a main frame having a steering head, an elevating frame movable upwardly relatively to said main frame, a link member secured to said elevating frame and having a portion thereof extending over into the axis of the steering head, a lifting lever, a lifting member pivoted thereon and normally adapted to lie in a forward or rearward pomtion so as not to interfere with the movement of said lifting lever, said member being movable substantially vertically in the steering axis when guided therein and adapted to impart lifting effort to said link member to elevate the elevating frame upon downward movement of the lifting lever, said lifting member being guided for movement in the steering axis by its engagement with said liftinglink portion, and means whereby said lift-l ing link portionis maintained substantially in, the steering axis in all the positions of the ele-.

vating frame.

4. In a lift truck, a main frame having a steering head, an elevating frame movable forwardly and upwardly relatively to said main frame, a link member pivoted to said elevating frame and having a portion thereof extending over into the axis of the steering head, a lifting lever, a lift-- ing member pivotedthereon and normally adapted to lie in a'forward or rearward position soas not to interfere withthe movement of said lifting lever, said member being movable substan-- tially vertically in the steering axis when guided therein and adapted to impart lifting effort to ,said link member to elevate the elevating frame upon downward movement of the lifting lever, said lifting member being guided for movement inthe steeringaxisbyitsengagementwith said lifting link portion, and guide means for said link adapted to guide it so asto maintain its lifting portion substantiallyin thesteering axis as said elevating frame moves forwardly and upwardly.

5. In alift truck,amainframehaving asteering head, an elevating frame movable forwardly and upwardly relatively to said main frame, a link member pivoted to said elevating frame and having a portion thereof extending over into the axis of the steeringhead, a. lifting lever, a. lifting member pivoted thereon and normally adapted to lie in a forward or rearward position so as not to interfere with the'movement of'mid lifting lever, said member being movable subohnthlly vertically in the steering axis when guided therein and adapted to impart'liftmg effortto mid link membertoelevatetbeduntfngfrlmeuprm downward movement of the lifting lever, slid lifting being guided formovfient in the steering'atls by its with nail lifting linkportimandaguidememba'll votallyaslociated with said main frame and with said link member for guiding said link member to maintain its lifting portion substantially in the steering axis as said elevating frame moves forwardly and upwardly.

6. In a lift truck, a main frame having a steering head, an elevating frame movable forwardly and upwardly relatively to said main frame, a link member pivoted to said elevating frame and having a free-end portion thereof extending over into the axis of the steering head so as to be engaged and operated by a lifting member movable substantially vertically in the said axis, and guide means for said link independent of said lifting member and adapted to guide said link and move it on its pivot relatively to said elevating frame so as to maintain its free end lifting portion in the steering axis as said elevating frame moves forwardly and upwardly. I I

7. In the combination of claim 1, a foot lever associated with said lifting member for moving it into the steering axis for engagement with said link portion. 1 I

8. In the combination of claim 1, the engagement between said link portion and said lifting member being in the form of a ball and socket connection.

9. In the combination of claim 2, said lifting member being adapted to drop from engagement with said link portion and out of obstructing re.- lation to said lifting lever upon the relieving of the lifting tension between said member and said lifting portion.

10. In the combination of claim -3, said lifting member being adapted to drop from engagement with said link portion and out of obstructing relation to said lifting lever upon the relieving of the lifting tension between said member and said lifting portion.

11. In a truck, a steering and lifting lever, a cross-head relatively to which said lever is rotatable for steering action, and relatively to' which it is so pivoted for lifting action, a. shoulder portion associated with said steering lever and a second shoulder portion associated with said head placed in a vertical position. said shoulder portions being cooperable to prevent both rotary movement and rearward pivoting movement of said'lever.

12. In a truck, a steering and lifting lever, a cross-head relatively to which said lever is rotatable for steering action, and relatively to which it is pivoted for lifting action, a lifting member pivoted to said lever and adapted to drop into a backward position out of obstructing relation to said lever, and also into a downward position, a shoulder portion on said member, and a shoulder portion on said cross-head against which said member shoulder portion is arranged to abut when moved into said downward position,

said shoulder portions being cooperable to prevent both rotary movement and rearward pivoting movement of said lever.

13. In a truck, a steering and lifting lever, a cross-head relatively to which said lever is rotatable for steering action, and relatively to which it is so pivoted for lifting action, a lifting member pivoted to said lever and movable into a. downward position when said lever occupies a vertical position, a shoulder portion on said member, and a shoulder portion on said cross-head against which said member shoulder portion is arranged to abut when moved into said downward position, said shoulder portions being vating frame, links connecting said main and elevating frames and adapted to lift said elevating frame relatively to said main frame, and guide-links pivoted to said main frame and to said connecting links for so guiding the connecting links that the movement of said platform will be substantially vertical. I 15. In a. lifting truck, a main frame,- an ele-- vating frame, links connecting said main and elevating frames and adapted-to lift said elevating frame relatively to said main frame, said links being slidable relatively to one of said frames, and guide links pivoted to said main frame and to said connecting links and adapted to control said links and their sliding movement so that the movement of said platform will be substantially vertical.

16. In; a lifti'ng truck, a main frame, an elevating frame, links connecting said main and elevating frames and adapted to lift said elevating frame relatively to said main frame, said links being slidable relatively to one of said frames, and guide links pivoted to one of said frames and to said connecting links and adapted to control said links and their sliding movement so that the movement of said platform will be substantially vertical. p

17. In a. lift truck, a main frame having a steering head,-'an elevating frame mounted for upward movement relatively to said main frame, a lifting unit secured to said elevating frame and having a portion overlying the steering head axis, a lifting member movable substantially in the steering axis for operating said lifting unit, and means independent of said lifting member for guiding said lifting unit during lifting movement thereof and during operation of said lifting member whereby to maintain said lifting unit portion substantially in the steering headaxis for continuous effective operation by said lifting member.

-18. In a lift truck, a main frame having a steering head, an elevating frame mounted for upward movement relatively to said main frame, a lifting unit secured to said elevating frame andhaving a portion overlying the steering head axis, a lifting member movable substantially in the steering axis for operating said lifting unit, and rigid link guide means independent of said lifting member for guiding said lifting unit during lifting movement thereof and during operation of said lifting member whereby to maintain said lifting unit portion substantially in the steering headaxis for continuous effective operation by said lifting member.

' 19. In a lift truck, a main frame having a steering head, an elevating frame movable upwardly relatively to said main frame, a lifting unit secured to said elevating frame and having a .portionthereof extending over into the axis of the steering head, a lifting lever, a lifting member pivoted thereon and normally adapted to lie in a forward or rearward position so as not to interfere with the movement of said lifting lever,

- said i' njemb er being movable substantially. vertically in'the steering axis when guided therein and adapted to impart lifting effort to said lifting unit to elevate the elevating frame upon down-' ward movement of the lifting lever, said lifting axis for operating said lifting unit, means mounting said lifting member whereby the contact of said overlying portion of the lifting unit with said lifting member maintains said member in the steering. head axis, and means for guiding said lifting unit during lifting movement thereof and during operation of said lifting member whereby to maintain said lifting unit portion substantially in the steering head axis for continuous effective operation by said lifting member.

- 21. In a lift truck, a main frame having a steering head, an elevating frame mounted for upward movement relatively to said main frame, a liftingunit secured to said elevating frame and having a portion overlying the steering head axis,

a lifting lever pivoted to said steering head, a lifting strut member pivoted at its lower end to said lever and movable into substantial alignment with the steering axis and withits upper end in thrust contact with the overlying portion of the lifting unit, whereby downward swinging movement of the lifting lever will elevate said elevating frame, said lifting strut member being movable automatically out of engagement with said lifting unit overlying portion when its thrust contact withsaid overlying portion is relieved, and

means for guiding said lifting unit, and incidentally said strut member, substantially in the steering. axis during the lifting operation.

22. In a lifting truck, a main frame having a steering head, an elevating frame, links connecting said main and elevating frames and adapted to lift saidv elevating frame relatively to said main frame, guide links pivoted to said main frame and to said connectinglinks for so guiding the con-' necting links that the movement of said platform will be substantially vertical, a lifting unit secured to said elevating frame and having a porthat the movement of said platform will be substantially vertical, a lifting unit secured to said elevating frame and having a portion extending into the steering head axis, and a lifting member movable substantially in the steering head axis for operating said lifting unit.

24. In'a lifting truck, a main frame having a steering head, an elevating frame, links connecting said main and elevating frames and adapted to lift said elevating frame relatively to said main frame, said links being slidable relatively to one of said frames, guide links pivoted to one of said frames and to said. connecting links and adapted to control said links and their sliding movement so that the movement of said platform will be substantially vertical, a lifting unit secured to said elevating frame and having a portion extending into the steering head axis, and a lifting .tion extending into the steering head axis, and a member movable substantially in the steering head axis for operating said lifting unit.

25. In a lifting truck, a main frame having a steerlngghead, an elevating frame, links connect- 5 ing said main and elevating frames and adapted to lift said elevating frame relatively to said main frame, guide links pivoted to said main frame and to said connecting links for so guiding the connecting links that the movement of said platform 10 will be substantially vertical, a lifting unit secured to said elevating frame and having a portion overlying the steering head axis, a lifting lever pivoted to said steering head, a lifting strut member'pivoted at its lower end to said lever and movable into substantial alignment with the steering axis and with .its upper end in thrust contact withthe overlying portion of the lifting 5 unit, whereby downward swinging movement of the lifting lever will elevate said elevating frame, said lifting strut member being movable automatically out of engagement with said lifting unit overlying portion when its thrust contact with 10 said overlying portion is relieved.

JAKOB LOEF. 

